Biomechanics

Human movement science

Knee arthroscopy in arthritis: an evidence-practice mismatch

The small inconsequential benefit seen from interventions that include arthroscopy for the degenerative knee is limited in time and absent at one to two years after surgery. Knee arthroscopy is associated with harms. Taken together, … READ MORE

Growing pains – adapting orthotic devices to maturing patients

Accommodating growth without compromising fit and function is a challenge for practitioners who prescribe orthotic devices for young patients. Adjustments and add-ons—as well as educating parents about expected changes—can make … READ MORE

Toe walking treatment and management

The management of toe walking is controversial — the natural history is poorly defined, and only limited data are available regarding direct comparisons of different treatment modalities. Therefore, the physician’s first decision … READ MORE

Orthotic options for knee OA focus on compliance issues

New research presented in June at the 2015 ISPO Congress underscored the potential long-term benefits of valgus knee bracing for relief of medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms when patient compliance is high, while other ISPO … READ MORE

Encouraging evidence that off-loader knee braces are effective

Given the encouraging evidence that off-loader braces are effective in mediating pain relief in conjunction with knee OA and malalignment, bracing should be fully used before joint realignment or replacement surgery is considered. … READ MORE

Brace therapy in uni-compartmental OA

Offloading strategies for knee osteoarthritis. Brace therapy plays an important role in conservative treatment of knee OA. Several types of braces are commercially available from multiple manufacturers; however, “unloading” braces … READ MORE

Orthotics part of arthritis treatment

Rheumatologists care for patients with assistive devices such as knee braces or foot orthotics. Although not involved in fitting patients with the appliances, rheumatologists still need to know how to manage these patients and … READ MORE

HARMONY exoskeleton helps patients recover strength and motor skills

Texas engineers introduce advanced upper body rehabilitation robot. HARMONY was specially designed to offer customized therapy for optimal efficacy. Not only does the exoskeleton adjust to patient size, it can also be programmed to be … READ MORE

Knee OA guidelines take patient-centric approach

Updated guidelines and new appropriate use criteria for nonoperative management of knee osteoarthritis aim to focus more directly on typical knee OA patients, who often have comorbidities that can complicate care and are not well … READ MORE

No need to ‘correct’ a flat foot

Gina Kolata published an excellent article in the New York Times that discusses what we do and do not know about how custom orthotics work. She interviewed renowned running biomechanists Benno Nigg, University of Calgary, and Joesph … READ MORE

Driving safety: effects of lower extremity impairment

By Hank Black, Lower Extremity Review July 2015 ▽ Table of Contents Introduction Medico-legal landscape Driving simulators Immobilizing and adaptive devices Driver evaluation programs Individual recommendations References Further … READ MORE

Custom hinged AFO vs. standard ankle foot orthosis in stroke recovery

Functional Bracing with Adjustable Dynamic Response. Address the entire gait cycle providing unrestricted motion, customized stability, and smooth rollover. Ultraflex Hemiparesis is one of the most common impairments after stroke that … READ MORE

Effects of high heel wear and increased weight on the knee during walking

Killer heels could lead to osteoarthritis in knees, warn scientists. Most women would agree that tottering along in a pair of killer heels can result in sore feet, painful ankles and a bad back. But a new study suggests that wearing … READ MORE

Patellofemoral syndrome treatment and management FAQs

Soft knee braces may be of benefit to patients with PFS. Bracing involves control of the tracking position of the patella and restriction of full knee flexion. Braces vary in the manner in which the patella is restricted (eg, patellar … READ MORE

In search of a mechanism for foot orthoses’ effects

The seemingly endless quest to discover why foot orthoses relieve symptoms is veering away from skeletal alignment and toward somatosensory variables, though some still insist that kinematics play a role as well. UC San Diego … READ MORE

Non-surgical approach helps people with paralysis voluntarily move their legs — a first

Paralyzed men move legs with new non-invasive spinal cord stimulation. Five men with complete motor paralysis were able to voluntarily generate step-like movements thanks to a new strategy that non-invasively delivers electrical … READ MORE

Neural plasticity and treatment across the lifespan for motor deficits in cerebral palsy

Kids playing. Anca Serbanescu, flickr George F Wittenberg PhD, Baltimore VA Medical Center Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore MD, USA, Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology October 2009 The past … READ MORE

Interdisciplinary approach to exploring motor function

Using techniques from neuroscience, biomechanics, kinesiology, signal processing, control systems, physiology, and image processing, Lena Ting’s work aims to better characterize and model normal and impaired performance of … READ MORE

Controlling drop foot: beyond standard AFOs

The basic goal of orthotic management is to improve toe clearance during swing and provide stability during stance, but new technologies—from energy-storing composites to functional electrical stimulation—do much more. By Jeremy … READ MORE

That’s a life changer: Halifax company wins award for bionic knee brace

Chris Cowper-Smith CEO of Spring Loaded Technology Inc. holds a knee brace in the production area of the firm’s Burnside location. Photo Jeff Harper/Metro Those struggling with mobility issues could soon have the technology of … READ MORE

Keep Moving to Stay a Step Ahead of Arthritis

I was a fanatical tennis player for decades until my increasingly painful arthritic knees forced me to stop playing. The knees were replaced two years later, but by then, I had filled in my life with other activities, including a … READ MORE

Diane Covington: AFOs positively impact every aspect of her dynamic life

It’s a happy coincidence that Diane Covington lives just a few miles from a New Balance store, for two reasons. The brand’s sporty and comfortable styles are perfectly suited for Covington’s life on the go. And they come in … READ MORE

Brennan Ryan: With AFOs and cool sneakers, this 10-year-old can be a regular kid

If you ask Brennan Ryan what his favorite after-school activities are, he’ll tell you, “Basketball, baseball, flag football, and Cub scouts.” Ask him what his favorite part of school is and he’ll answer, “Recess.” This … READ MORE

Assistive tech remains utterly marginalized from mainstream design

“Ugh! The dreaded tennis ball on the legs of a walker. Words cannot describe how unhappy this makes me. It’s the quintessential example of a design fail, but ask anyone who’s suffered through dragging the standard … READ MORE

Ultra-thin insole tells doctors what’s wrong with your foot

The world’s first wireless plantar pressure measurement system. Whether in physiotherapy practice or in clinical care, the Opengo physio system provides fast and precise gait and general motion analysis with your patients. … READ MORE

Orthotic solutions for children with hypotonia

New research underscores years of positive clinical results. When it comes to orthotic management of pediatric patients with hypotonia, the medical literature is only beginning to document the effectiveness that clinicians have been … READ MORE

Gait: The cornerstone of intervention

Quantifying the effects of hypotonia starts in the clinic. Effective management of children with hypotonia requires an understanding of how the condition affects gait. Clinicians typically rely on their professional experience when … READ MORE

Ankle foot orthosis, AFO

The strength and stability of a person’s body is of paramount concern for individuals with Cerebral Palsy; the more stable a body is, the better a person can ambulate and complete tasks both big and small. Orthotic devices worn on … READ MORE

Orthotic Management of CMT, Charcot-Marie-Tooth

Ankle foot orthoses, AFOs, can help compensate for muscle weakness and accommodate related structural deformities in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, but practitioners are constantly looking for ways to improve suboptimal … READ MORE

Orthotic bracing in the treatment of Pectus carinatum

Orthotic brace used in the treatment of Pectus carinatum, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis Missouri. Abstract. Purpose of review. Pectus carinatum has been termed the under-treated … READ MORE

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